Crist fielded questions from Tiger Bay Club members, including one who asked with which party would Crist caucus if elected.

“I’ll caucus with the people of Florida,” he said. “I’ll ask tough questions of both parties, and depending on the answers, I’ll decide which to go with. Or go with neither one.”

The governor, who grew up in St. Petersburg, fielded a question on oil drilling and drew a laugh in the process. He said if elected he will continue to oppose drilling in state waters.

“I’m a Gulf Coast guy,” he said. “I’m the only candidate who is. So, send your homeboy up (to Washington).”

Current polls show the gap widening between Crist and his Republican opponent Marco Rubio. A RealClearPolitics.com average of six of the most well-known political polls shows Rubio with 42%, Crist with 31% and Democrat Kendrick Meeks with 20%. The rest are undecided.